Monday, June 25, 2012

Matias Cortese is returning to France

Former Argentine international hooker, Matias Cortese will be returning to France next season after agreeing to terms to play for Pro d2 side Colemiers. The club is back in France´s second division after winning promotion from the Fédérale 1 in the 2011-2012 season. Still young, at 26 years of age, Cortese will be playing for his third French club after previously having played in the Top 14 for Bayonne and Biarritz. He has also played in the Aviva Premiership, most recently in the 2012-2012 season where he played six Aviva Premiership matches for Gloucester. Prior to that he played for the Northampton Saints from 2006-2007.

Cortese has played three test matches for Argentina. He made his international debut in 2005 vs Samoa as a 21 year old from the bench. His other two test match appearances came in the 2010 South American Championship with Cortese playing against Chile and Uruguay. He remains in the eyes of the Pumas coaches as a back up option. He played for Los Jaguares in the recent IRB Nations Cup in Romania.